Intermittently-operated actuating mechanism



F. W. BOLD INTERMITTENTLY OPERTED ACTUATING MECHANISM .March 1s 1924.- 1,487,434

Filed Dec. 31, 1921 4 sheets-sheet 1 March 18 1924. A 1,487,434

. F. w.y BOLD A INTERMITTENTLY OPERATED ACTUATING MEGHANISM Filed Dec.' 51. 1921 4 sheets-sheet 2 March 18 1924.4

1,487,434 F. W. BOLD INTERMITTENTLY OPERATED ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 31, 1921' 4 Sheets-Sheet `5 l JKM March 18 '1924. 1,487,434

F. w. BOLD INTERMITTENTLY OPERATED ACTUATTNG MECHAN'ISM Filed Dec. 3l. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Mar. 18, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK W. BOLD, OF CHELSEA., MASSACHUSETTS ASSIGNOR T0 BOSTON CLOCK COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, .A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

IN-TERMITTENTLY-OPERATED ACTUATING MECHANISM.

Application led December 31, 1921.

T0 f/ZZ whom, t 'may concern.'

Be` it known that l, FREDERICK W. BOLD, a citizen ofthe Unit-ed States, residing at Chelsea, in the county 'of `Suffolk and State of Massacl'lusetts, 'have invented new vand useful Improvements in Intermittently-"Operated Actuating Mechanism, of which the following is specification.

This invention relates `particularly to actuating mechanism including a motor adapted to operate continuously 'for a protracted period, the motor being alternately allowed to operate and restrained rfrom operation.

The invention is embodied inan actuating mechanism ot this character, comprisingr a motor-driven vpower-transmitting train, a continuously operating 'time tra-in movement whose only duty is to operate a power let-off adapted to alternately stop vthe lpower train, and permit it 'to start, said duty 'being so light 'that 'the operation of the time movement is not lretarded or "otherwise affected thereby, so that the yperiods of operation of the power train 'are accurately timed.

Of the accompanying dra-wings forming a part of this specification,

Figure 1 is an edge View, rshowing alpower train, a time movement, and a. let-oil `embodying the invention, portions being'broken away.

g Figure 2 is a side view of vthe structure shown by Figure 1, 4portions'being broken away, yand various farbors of the power and time movement trains being shown'in 'section.

Figure 3 is a. fragmentary view, showing enlargements ofvparts shown by Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a View showing in side elevation the arms, and in lsection vthe slotted letotf 'member shown by Figure 3.

Figure 4a is a fragmentary View, showing ,parts represented by Figure 4, in diiferent relative positions.

Figure 5 is a perspective View showing a portion of the slotted let-olif member.

Figure G is a side view of an arm constituting a let-off member, the arm-carrying hub being shown in section.

Figure 7 is a side View vshowing an arm of yielding construction.

y `Figure `8 isfa side View showing one of the frame plates shown by Figures 1 and 2,

Serial No. 526,438.

'and parts of the mechanism supported thereby.

Figure 9 is a 'fragmentary view similar to portions of Figure '2, showing a modification of the let-ol".

Figures 10, 11 and 12 are fragmentary views, illustrating the operation of the letoff shown by Figure 9.

l'Figure 13 is a side elevation of another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 14 vis a section on line 14-14 of Figure 13, and an elevation of parts at the right of said line.

, train, and "parts of said train.

Figure19 is a view'showing thewindingpost in elevation, and the spring, the barrel, and other Aparts in section.

Figure 20 is a section on line `20-2O of 'Figure 19, .and an 'elevation of parts at the right of 'said line.

Figure 21 is a fragmentary view, showing parts of the timing escapement `pertaining to theftime movement.

Figure QQ/is va section on line 22-22 *of Figure 19. l

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the figures.

I will iirst describe the embodiments of the invention shown by Figures 1'to 12.

My improved intermittently operated mechanism, which may be employed for various purposes requiring relatively low power and limited periods of operation, alternating with periods of rest, includes a prime motor adapted to operate continuously for a protracted period, and preferably embodied in a spring or a weight. 12 represents a barrel, and l12a a winding-post, these parts being associated as usual with a spiral driving spring, engaged at one end With the barrel, and at the opposite end with the post. 10, l() and 11 designate members of a supporting frame of any suitable construction, supporting the arbors of the gears hereinafter described. Power may be transmitted from the barrel 12 to an operat` ing shaft 13, connected with any suitable mechanism to be driven, through a suitable gear train which, as here shown, includes a gear 1st fixed to the barrel, a pinion 15 meshing with the gear 1l, a shaft 16 fixed to the pinion 15, a gear 1T fixed to the shaft 16, a gear 18 tixed to the operating shafty 13, and an intermediate gear 19 (Figure Si meshing with the gears 17 and .15%. The operati ng shaft may be journaled on a fixed stud lil (ltigure 1l on one of the plates of the supporting frame.

My improved mechanism also includes a continuously operated time movement driven by any suitable means, and including any suitable timing escapement. The time movement may be of any suitable type, and preferably includes a sgring engaged with a barrel 21, and ivith a 'winding-post in the usual manner. The usual balance and escapement of the time movement are indicated respectively at 23 and 2l (Figure 1), these being associated as usual vfith a time train, the terminal members of which are a gear fixed to the barrel 21, and a pinion 2G fixed to the member lo of the povfer-let-olf hereinafter described. Torque is transmitted from the gear 25 to the pinion 2", through suitable reducing gears, 2S, 29, 30, 31, 32 and Bft and 3l designates one of the usual gears connected With the escapement of the time movement.

The terminal member or pinion 26 of the time movement is fixed to a power let-ott member 4G, which is an arbor driven by the time movement, the other member of said let-off being driven by the poiver train. Said members are formed and arranged to cooperate in alternately stopping and permitting the operation of the poiver train. The let-olf member driven by the po1 Yer train, as here shown, includes a hub 5.3 (l ure G), fixed on a shaft 36 and a plurality of arms 37 tixed to and radiating from the hub, and arranged in different planes, as shoivn by Figure 3, said arms being revoluble in predetermined paths b v the rotation of the shaft 3G.

The shaft 36 is driven through suitable reduc-ing gears, constituting meinl ers of the povver train, and including a gear 3S, on the shaft 1G, a pinion 39, a gear l0, on a shaft 4 1. a pinion i2, a gear 43, on a shaft ll, and a pinion l5 on the shaft 36.

In Figures 1, 2, 3 and et l have shown a multiple motor-driven let-olil member, comprising four arms 37, these being arranged in different angular positions on the hub 35.

The let-oft member 46 driven by the time movement, is continuously rotated. and is a n arbor provided with a plurality of slots l?, arranged in different angular positions. as shown by Figure 5, each slot being in the plane and path of revolution of one ot the arms 3T, as indicated by Figure il. Flai-h portion of the let-off member 4G which baelts a slot 417, is an arresting or stop portion arranged to obstruct the path of an arm 37, as shoivn b v Figure l, and the corresponding slot is arranged to clear said path and leave it unobstructed, when the slot is moved by the rotation of the let-ottl member '1t-(3. to the position shown by Figure l, the outer end of the arm passing through the slot. The motor is thus permitted to operate until the next arm abuts against another arresting portion of the let-oli' member flt.

It will noiv be seen that the periods of action and inaction of the motor depend on the rate of rotation of the let-ott;l member #16, and on the numbeil of arms 3T and slots ai'. It will also be seen that by employing only one arm 37, each release of the arm will permit a more protracted operation of the po'vver train than ivhen more arms are provided, the power train operating While the arm makes practically an entire revolution. When only one arm is employed, it is preferably rendered somewhat yielding, to cushion its impact on the let-olf member L16. This may be accomplished by providing the arm ivith a longitudinal slot 50, shown by Figure 7. The frietional resistance, or drag on the time movement, caused by contact of a let-ofl'inember arm 3T with the let-ott member 16, is not sullicient to retard, or otherwise appreciably ati'ectthe timekeeping of said movement, so that the mechanism of my invention is adapted to operate accurately and at the desired predetermined periods.

The hub is preferaldy flattened at one side, as shown at 51 (Figure each arm il? being provided With an enlarged inner end 52, formed to accurately tit the hub. The arms when assembled ou the hub, are spaced apart by washers 541;.

Means including a time movement, and, organized to alternately stop and start a power train, without ati'ecting the ruiming time of the time movement, is of the essence of the invention. said means permitting a driven power-tranemitting train capable of developing poiver to perform any work that may be required, to be accurately stopped and started at predetermined times.

l am not limited tothe above-descril ed embodiment of said means, and may variously modify the same Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The above-described let-olli' includes a progressive member formed by the arm or arms 37, and called progressive because it progresses or moves imidirectionally in a llt) . acts.

predetermined path, when Kthe power train The let-off also includes an alternating member formed by the shaft 46 and its slot or slots 47, and called alternating because it is alternately in position to stop the progressive member, and to release the same and the power train, `connections such as the train members 26 and 33 being vprovided between the alternatingl ymember and the time movement, whereby the alternating member is moved alternately into and out of the path of the rprogressive member, to alternately stop and permit the action of the power train.

A modification is shown by Figures 9, 10, 11 and -12, in which said progressive and *alternating escapement members and connections are otherwise embodied. In said modification, the progressi ve let-off 'member correspo'liding in function to the arm or arms 37, is a stud 55,fixed to and .projecting laterally from Athe gear 43 forming an element of the above-described power train, said stud `being caused 'to progress in a circular path when the gear 43 rotates. The alternating let-ofi' member, andthe connections between the sameand the time movement, are embodied in two spaced apart pallets 56 and 57, a lever composed of arms 58and 59 fulcrumed yat 60, the pallets being fixed to the arm 58, and an arbor 46 having a slot 47, as in the embodiment lof the escapementfirst described, said arbor being rotated by the time movement. The lever arm 59 is' provided with a recess 61, and the arrangement is such 'that the 'rotation of the shaft produces the following results:

AWhen the'sha'ft 46 is inthe position shown by Figure 10, the yrecess 61 permits the depression of 'thearm 59 and the elevation of i the arm 58, `so that the pallet 56 stands in the path of the progressive member 55, and is adapted to 'arrest'the latter. Then the shaft 46 is inthe position shown by Figure 11. the `bottom 'of theslot 47 acts o raise the arm 59 yand depress the varm 58, so that the pallet 56releases the progressive member 55, which is permitted to .pass between the pallets 56 and 57. Vhen the shaft 46 is in the position shown by Figure 1.2, the arm is further raised, and the arm 58 further depressed, so that lthe pallet 57 is moved into the path of the vprogressive member 55 and arrests the latter. A spring 62 may be provided to ensure Contact of the arm 59 with the shaft 46.

It will be understood that 'the operating shaft. 13 may be connected inany suitable manner with a machine or device to be driven by the mechanism of my invention.

I will now describe the structure shown by Figures 13 to 22, which show an embodiment of the invention suitable` for use as a motor for a machine or device, such as a time stamp. 10, 10, 11a represent memythe power train.

bers of the supporting frame, by which lthe various arbors hereinafter mentioned are supported. This embodiment of the invention includes the controlling alternating let- Voft member 46, driven by a time movement,

and thel controlled progressive let-off member 37, driven by la vpower train, as in the embodiment first described. The member 46 preferably has a single slot 47. and the ymember 37 preferably vincludes a single arm (see Figure 15).

The time 'movement train and the power `train hereinafter described, are each preferab'lv driven by a. double-acting spiral spring rment train. A gear 68, which is loose on the shaft 64, constitutes the inner member of A ratchet 69 is fixed to the shaft 64, as by the engagement of a squared portion 70 of said shaft with a square hole in the ratchet. A pawl 71 i.pivoted to the gear 68, is pressed by a spring 72, carried by said gear, against the ratchet. Theshaft64 Vhas a squared extension 73, constituting a Vwinding-post. When the spring 63 is moved, it exerts torque in one direction through the barrel, on the gear 66 of the time movement, and in the opposite direction through the ratchet and pawl, on the y gear 68 of the power train.

The time movement (see Figure 17 as here shown, includes, in addition to the gear 66, a pinion 74, fast on an arbor 75, and meshing with the gear 66, a gear 76, fast on the arbor 75, a pinion 77, meshing with the gear 76, and fast on an arbor 78, a gear 79, fast on the arbor 78,.a pinion 80 meshing'with the gear 79, and fast on an arbor 81, a gear 82, fast on the arbor 81, and a pinion 83, fast. on the arbor 46, forming the controlling let-OH member, the pinion 83 meshing with the gear 82.

The time-controlling escapement may be of any suitable character, and includes a balance Wheel 84 (Figure 21), the staff of which is journaled in a'bridge 85 on one of the frame plates. The escapement cooperates with a gear 86 and a pinion '87, included in the time-movement train, the gear 86 being fast on the controlling let-ofi member 46, and meshing with the pinion 87, which Vis fast on an arbor 88.

l90, a pinion 92, fast on an arbor 93, and meshing with the gear 91, a gear 94, fast on the arbor 98, a pinion 95, fast on an arbor 96, and meshing vvith the gear 94e, a gear 9G, tast on the arbor 96, and a pinion 97 meshing ivith the gear 96, and fast. on an arbor 9S, to which the controlled let-0H member or arm 3T is fixed.

I utilize the gear 94 as the outer or powerdelivering member of the power train. As shoyvn by Figures 13 and 14:, the gear 9% meshes yvith a pinion 99, fast on a shaft 100, Which constitutes an element of mechanism for driving a series of printing Wheels 101, pertaining to a time stamp of ivell known construction. The last-mentioned mechanism forms no part of my invention, and although elements of said mechanism are shoivn in detail by Figures 13, 1l and 1G, a description of the construction and operation thereof not deemed essential to an understanding of my invention.

Since the progressive letol'l member 37 is controlled by the. alternating member i6, I call the latter a controllingmember. and the former a controlled member.

lt will be see-n that in each of the described embodiments of the invention, there is provided a power let-ott including a continuously driven smooth surfaced arbor i6, constituting a member of the time movement, and a member such as the arm or arms 37, movable by the poiver train in a plane substantially at right angles vvith the axis of the arbor, and pressed against the periphery of the latter. The arbor and said member are formed to have a limited, practically antifrictional contact ivith each other, so that the pressure. of the member against the arbor does not appreciably retard the time movement.

l have tiled on or about the 10th day of Xovember, 1923, with the Serial No. 673,961, a further application relating to the same generic subject matter as that disclosed herein. All novel subject matter common to the disclosures is claimed in said later tiled application and not in the present specifica tion.

l claim:

l. in intermittentlj,Y operated actuating mechanism ciunprising a time movement; a power train having poiver-transmiiting means independent of the time movement; and a power let-oil including a continuously driven smooth surfaced arbor. constituting a member of the time movement, and a meinber movable by the poiver train in a plane substantiallyv at right angles with the axis of said arbor, and pressed against the perimeter of the latter, the said arbor and member being formed to have a limited, practically antifrictional contact With each other, so

` that the pressure of the said member against the arbor does not appreciably retard the time movement, said arbor being formed to alternately arrest and release said member.

2. An intermittently operated actuating mechanism comprising a time movement; a power train having poiver-transmitting means independent of the time movement; and a. power let-ottincluding a continuously driven smooth surfaced arbor', constituting aI member of the time movement, and an arm revoluble by the power train in a plane substantially at rightl angles with the axis of said arbor, the arbor and the arm being formed to have a limited, practically antifrictional contact With each other. and the arbor being formed to alternately arrest and release the arm.

3. An intermittently operated actuating mechanism conmrising a time movement; a poyver train lia-ving power-transmitting means independent of the time movement; and a power let-off including a continuously driven smooth surfaced arbor. constituting a member of the time movement, and a plurality of arms revoluble in unison by the power train in parallel planes, substantially at right angles with the axis of said arbor, and pressed against the perimeter of the arbor, the said arbor and arms being formed to have a limited, practically anti frictional contact. with each other, and the arbor being formed to alternately arrest and release the arms.

l. An intermittently operated actuating mechanism comprising a time movement; a power train having power-transmitting means independent of the time movement; and a power let-off including a continuously driven smooth surfaced arbor, constituting a member of the time movement, and an arm revoluble by the power train in a plane substantially at right angles with the axis of said arbor, the arborl and the arm being formed to have a limited. practically antifrictional contact with each other, and the arbor being provided with a slot arraiiged to periodically release said arm.

5. An intermittently operated actuating mechanism comprising a time movement; a power train having a power-transmitting means independent of the time naivement; and a poiver letcfll including a continuously driven smooth surfaced arbor. constituting a member of the time movement, and a plurality of arms revoluble in liaison by the power train in parallel planes. substantially at right angles with the axis of said arbor, and pressed against the perimeter of the arbor, the said arbor and arms being formed to have a limited, practically antifrictional contact With each other, and the arbor being provided with a plurality of slots arranged to periodically release said arms.

6. An intermittently operated actuating mechanism comprising a time movement; a power train having power-transmitting means independent of the time movement; and a. power let-off including a continuously driven smooth surfaced arbor, constituting a member of the time movement, and an and release the arm, said arm being resilarm revoluble by the power train in a plane ient, and adapted to yield to cushion its substantially at right angles With the axis impact on the arbor. 10 of said arbor, the arbor and the arm being In testimony whereof I have aixed my 5 formed to have a 1imited,practica11y antisignature.

frctional Contact with each other, and the arbor being formed to alternately arrest FREDERICK W. BOLD. 

